ONE of Cheshire's deputy chief fire officers has received a cash bonus of at least £6,400 in the current financial year.

The news follows last week's revelation that Cheshire Chief Fire Officer Steve McGuirk's wage jumped by at least £33,000 last year, bringing his salary to date to £126,000.

Figures released by the service in response to a Freedom of Information request show Keith Newnes, head of community risk reduction, earned £82,747 up to January compared with a salary of £76,349 for the whole of 2003-2004. Cheshire Fire Service declined to answer questions about why his money has gone up and there are still three months to go until the end of the financial year. It is unclear whether it is permanent and if the two other deputies have enjoyed a similar rise.

Last week the service explained that Mr McGuirk received extra money because he was simultaneously in charge of Cheshire and South Yorkshire fire services for nine months.

It has now become clear the £126,000 quoted as his wage is not for the full 12 months, meaning his income for 2004-05 could be more than £150,000.

Cheshire Fire Service indicated earlier in the week it would clarify the situation but later reversed that position. They are now treating the request as a separate inquiry under the Freedom of Information Act which gives them up to 20 working days to produce the answer. The Chronicle is considering challenging this.

Dave Williams, secretary of Cheshire Fire Brigades' Union, is disappointed with the lack of response. Mr Williams said last week's Chronicle report had enraged firefighters who received a 'moderate' 16% pay rise over three years and whose shift patterns are currently under review.

He explained that although the emerging structure was not dis-similar to the current system it would be more rigid and likely to mean more hours.

'In effect it's a pay cut,' he said. 'That's the way some of the fire-fighters look at it.'

Mr Williams said a long service payment amounting to an increment of about £1,000 was likely to go.

A Cheshire Fire Service statement issued in relation to last week's story stated: 'The salary of chief fire officers is based on the National Joint Council for Principal Fire Officers of Local Authorities. Deputy chief fire officers' salaries are based on 82.5% of the chief fire officer's salary. The reduced amount paid to one deputy chief fire officer is calculated on 62.5% of the CFO's salary on account of being a non-operational post.'

Negative publicity could not have come at a worse time for Cheshire Fire Service which is currently being assessed by inspectors from the Audit Commission who will deliver a report on the brigade's performance.